OLD TECHNIQUE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 7

OLD TECHNIQUE

Bribes And Threats For Yugoslavs ITALY IN THE COLD ■ Brilisb Official Wirelese.i (Received February 18, 7 p.m. i RUGBY, February 17. The visit of the Yugoslav leaders on Friday to Berchtesgaden (states British Official Wireless) is the subject of the usual crop of unconfirmed reports and rumours, the origin of which is in no doubt. All are clearly designed to cloak possible Nazi moves. On their return to Belgrade the Prime Minister, M. Tsvetkovitch, and the Foreign Minister, M. Markovitch, reported to the Regent of Yugoslavia. Prince Paul, on their mission, upon which they embarked with the hope of learning something of the German intentions. There is no reason to doubt that, following familiar technique, attempts were made by Hitler to buy Yugoslav acquiescence in the German encirclement, of their country with bribes and half-veiled threats- — the bribes including promises in the economic field and territorial gains at the expense of third parties. For reasons too apparent to Mussolini, whose Albanian campaign has been almost as disastrous as the North Africa debacle, Italy does not appear to have been consulted in the formulation of Germany’s Balkan plans. Ankara Agreement. Ou the subject of the Turkish Bulgarian agreement of friendship, it is commented that for some time past Turkey’s diplomatic efforts have been consistently directed to the difficult task of building up a united front among the Balkan countries for the purpose of resisting Axis aggression. Having regard, however, to the advanced condition of the German entry into Bulgaria, it is hard to see bow the actual political situation in the Balkans can be seriously affected by the present agreement. It may safely be assumed that Turkey will have safeguarded her freedom of action under her existing treaty obligations. As might be expected, German propaganda is already at work concerning this agreement. Known for Weeks Past. LONDON, February 18. in London it is stated that the talks were begun by the Turkish Government weeks ago with the knowledge and good will of the British Government. German infiltrations which were taking place during the negotiations have probably diminished as a result of the latest decision. It is suggested in Athens that furkey may claim a diplomatic success in encouraging Bulgaria not to enter into aggression against Turkey or Greece, and that’Turkey still remains a bastion against further aggression. Attention is also drawn to tin- recent discussions between the British and Turkish General Staffs, in which fill agreement was reached.